Sutton Transferring To Fau

Former North Broward Prep star Jimmie Sutton is transferring from Florida to Florida Atlantic.

Sutton, who is from Deerfield Beach, was one of the most recruited players in the state before Billy Donovan signed him last year.

But Sutton (6 feet 10, 255 pounds) tore a knee ligament about a year ago, and that sidelined him all season and the recovery has not gone as quickly as he had hoped.

"This is the level I can play at with the knee being where it is," said Sutton about coming to FAU.

"It's gotten a lot better, but there is still a ways to go."

"This is a big-time signing for us," said FAU coach Rex Walters, who took over for Matt Doherty a month ago. "He is the kind of player we need if we want to take steps to become a national power."

Sutton, who averaged 12.5 points and 10.5 rebounds as a senior for North Broward Prep, will probably not play next year because of NCAA transfer rules, but FAU could appeal because of the injury.

"I accept whatever it is I have to do," said Sutton, who picked FAU because he will be close to home and will likely get more playing time with the Owls.

Sutton is the fourth player from South Florida who has signed with FAU this year.

He joins Xavier Perkins, a 6-5, 220-pound forward from Boca Raton who played at St. Andrew's; Tavarus Harris, a 5-10, 170-pound guard from Boynton Beach and Palm Beach Community College; and Sean Alacorn, a 6-3, 185-pound guard who played at Olympic Heights and Indian River Community College.